Exercise to stimulate...

not to annihilate. The world wasn't formed in a day, and neither were we. Set small goals and build upon them.

Lee Haney

I did the stairs today, as I did them Friday. I guess it's pretty much a thing now. Stairs on my off day. It's just so simple. It really gets my cardio going and I am also using it as a means to break in my hiking boots. After doing them last Wednesday my legs didn't feel it until Friday, while I accompanied a client to view a basement apartment. I tried not to grimace too much ascending and descending the staircase. I plod along still doing my 3 sets up and down the stairs. I'm thinking I'll add a new set come the new year.

Friday I went out with my partner in crime for our monthly date after doing the stairs (regardless of the sore legs). The plan was to go bowling but the lanes were booked until 9:30 so we spent some time in the arcade. We did some Dance Dance Revolution. You know, where you follow the dance steps on the screen. My little almost 10 year old friend complained that it was too hard. I admit, I did start sweating. I'd done it once before and it's tough. But fun!!

I did a run last night as well. I did it outside as the sidewalks were, for the most part, cleared. I'm still trying to find my stride. Literally. It's still not feeling right. I know it will. I'll get there. It's only been 3 runs. I really do enjoy that I am training by time. It keeps me focused and breaking it into segments makes it more manageable. 

I wanted to share a thing I like- Overnight Oats. They're SO GOOD. I am not a morning person so I was on the lookout for an easy breakfast. I was doing smoothies for a while. I still use them when I go do a morning gym workout to keep my blood sugar level and to prevent me from starving and eating everything in sight after a workout. For usual weekday breakfast though, I have turned to the glory that is overnight oats. The standard recipe I use is really simple: 

1/3 cup milk; 1/3 cup yogurt; 1/3 cup oats 1TBSP flax seed; Fruit. Mix it all together, leave it in your fridge overnight. 

I use the Liberte Mediterranean brand yogurt. It's not low fat but it IS gloriously tasty and oh so creamy. I prefer the large flake oats and I've just recently switched to Almond milk but was using cow's milk. I switched because my mom said she wasn't a fan of it and I read somewhere it has less calories. I haven't noticed a difference in flavour. I haven't really tried any recipes for it yet but here are some that look interesting:

Blueberry
http://blog.thatcleanlife.com/post/98307153038/blueberry-overnight-oats

PB & Chocolate
http://breakfastdramaqueen.com/2013/12/19/peanut-butter-and-chocolate-swirl-overnight-oats/

Pumpkin & Chocolate
http://breakfastdramaqueen.com/2014/11/26/pumpkin-and-chocolate-overnight-oats/

As I said, I haven't tried these particular recipes out myself but if you try them let me know how it goes!

Up

All right, I'm feelin' fine after yesterday's run. I know you were thinking about it alllllll day. I was a little sore going to bed last night and that had me concerned as today was my Christmas party for my clients and I had cleared the day knowing there'd be lots to do there and I'd be on my feet the whole time. It was all good though. I slept well and woke up bright eyed and bushy tailed ready to tackle the day.

The Christmas party was wonderful. My team did a great job. The clients liked the photobooth. It's a little treat that they don't often get. Photos to show off. The food was fantastic and for the most part the event went off without a hitch (minus blowing fuses). Staff also did a cookie exchange and I left work with my coat feeling tighter. Additionally, we did a secret Santa and I got a wonderfully crafty, and cozy gift from my Santa. A great little handmade ornament which was obtained with a little Christmas magic of a photo of my gramma and I plus a hat, scarf and wintery headband.

After dinner I went and did some stairs. 3 sets, without stopping. At the beginning of the summer I couldn't get up one flight without a break never mind the 9 that I can now do. I figured I'd get some stairs in as we're expecting 10 cm of snow overnight. This has me debating about my run tomorrow. I was thinking treadmill (even though I hate it) because it will keep my pace up. BUT I love running in snow. It's going to be a game day decision, I think.

New

I hadn't realized that it'd been almost a month since I'd last written anything. A few things have changed...or pretty much everything. I'm an entire year older and had a PERFECT 30th. My friends and family made me feel so special. I attended a friend of mine's BBQ and she bought me a cute little mini cake. My best friend created a scavenger hunt for me, then a surprise party. I did dinner with the fam at the restaurant that my brother is chef at and then drinks another night to round out the week. I was incredibly excited about my 30th, I started counting down as soon as I turned 29 and it's already been a pretty big year.

I also bought my first ever car. I did this because I required it for my new job! I started it a couple of weeks ago. I did not get the one where I was narrowed down to 2 for and received some really positive feedback for them. I actually got the job with my organization. It was really the position that I was most excited for. It's covering a mat leave for someone and is a great learning experience.

I always thought that if I had my own car then I would be more active. The sad reality is that this is true. What's sad about this is that if I really wanted to be active I would just do it regardless. I am happy that I'm hitting the gym a bit more. I still largely only do cardio. I'm on a real string though. Friday morning before work (I KNOW RIGHT! BEFORE WORK) I went swimming. Saturday I did some stairs, 759 to be exact. Sunday I did a cycle then today I did some rowing.

I liked swimming before work. I was just ill-prepared for it. The whole wet hair thing didn't go well for me. I knew that I would be going out Friday night and not have time to fit any activity in so I went in the AM. Saturday was slightly rainy so once it had paused I went to do some stairs near my house. I did 3 sets. My legs still hurt today. The going up got my heart pumping but the going down hurt my knees. Just like running downhill. The bracing is tough on the body. I went for a pretty easy ride yesterday. I was supposed to go with my brother but fate worked against us and he missed his bus and refused to ride his bike up the escarpment to meet me (I don't know what his issue was riding uphill to ride a bike with me, geeze! :) ) The rowing went well and I'm already feeling it in my arms, 2 hours later.

I am really enjoying the diversity of my activity. This is as a result of booking my Yukon trip. My brother and I have registered for a multi event 5 day excursion. Mountain biking, canoeing, hiking and a train ride into Alaska. It's a summer solstice trip and will take place at the end of June. It's going to be an amazing experience and I want to be able to enjoy it without the fear of death. So my new 'training' schedule is simply trying to replicate those activities. It's a bit different than training for a race but it's all activity at the end of the day and that's what is important.